Animation Ireland submitted its Pre-budget Submission for 2017 to the Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe, Michael McGrath TD and Pearse Doherty TD. Acting as the voice of the Animation sector, Animation Ireland’s core objective is to establish Ireland as a creative centre for Content & Technology by focusing on growth, developing an innovation culture and creating competitive advantage for members.
The Irish animation industry has experienced substantial growth over the past five years emerging as a central component of Ireland’s digital and creative economy. Award winning Irish studios employ 1,000+ technical and creative staff. With millions of children every week watching animated programmes produced here, Ireland is a recognised leader with talented and technically sophisticated 2D and 3D studios creating and producing content for TV, Film, Games, Mobile and Apps.
The 2017 document offers five recommendations to sustain and further develop the animation industry in Ireland.
1. Continue Educating and Up-skilling Talent: Increased technical and equipment support for the education sector contributing to the Animation Industry and continued support to the very successful Animation Skillnet.
2. Support for International Hires : To produce the best animation in the world requires the best talent in the world and recognising that the huge growth in the sector means a huge skills gap requires international hires. We recommend a dedicated person who understands the animation industry and can liaise with us when processing work visas for highly skilled international talent.
3. Continuation of Section 481: This welcome measure needs to be continued beyond 2020 to allow planning on projects to continue. Addition resources for Revenue would also be advisable to speedily process applications under this measure.
4. Implications of Brexit: The association continues to watch Brexit negotiations closely and in time will seek assistance to carry out research on the implications for our members of the Brexit timetable.
5. Economic Analysis: We are looking forward to reviewing the complete Economic Analysis of the industry and responding constructively to create a stronger, more sustainable and world recognized animation industry in Ireland.
Animation Ireland’s full 2017 pre-budget submission document is available to read here.